Board Minutes

January 9, 2006

A regular meeting of the Bladen County Board of Commissioners was held in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room of the Courthouse at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present:

Johnson Law Firm–Attorney Leslie Johnson

A motion was made by James G. Smith, seconded by Billy Ray Pait and approved to adopt the following Consent Items:

$375.00

Approve Proclamation Declaring January as 4-H Friends of Youth Mentoring Month:

WHEREAS: Bladen County's 4-H Friends of Youth volunteers, youth, staff and families are observing National Mentoring Month, January 2006; and

WHEREAS: Mentors offer valuable encouragement, motivation and hope for our youth by providing a consistent role model; and

WHEREAS; Research has shown mentored youth are 52% less likely to skip a day of school, 46% less likely to start using drugs, and 27% less likely to start drinking; and

WHEREAS: Relationships with caring mentors offer youth valuable encouragement, motivation and support to guide them toward making positive choices; and

WHEREAS: Bladen County mentoring programs are committed to increasing the number of quality mentors statewide; and

WHEREAS: Partnerships between businesses, education and mentor programs are an effective way for businesses to support youth within the community; and

WHEREAS: Many of Bladen County youth are waiting for mentors; and

WHEREAS: National Mentoring Month provides an opportunity to recognize and commend the efforts of these programs and raise community awareness of the importance of mentoring; now

Approve Resolution Regarding Girls’ Soccer Team:

WHEREAS, the Bladen County 10-and-under Girls Soccer Team had an outstanding Tournament; and,

WHEREAS, the team as a final accomplishment, won the 2005 State Wide Athletic Committee (SWAC) 10-and-under State Soccer Tournament on November 19, 2005; and,

WHEREAS, the team throughout the tournament, performed in a manner which brought credit to itself, and Bladen County Parks and Recreation Department; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Bladen County Board of Commissioners commends the Bladen County 10-and-under Girls Soccer Team for its accomplishment of being the best Girls Soccer Team in the State Wide Athletic Committee in the State of North Carolina; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners thanks the soccer team for the positive manner in which it represented all of Bladen County during its successful tournament.

Approve Resolution Regarding Boys’ Soccer Team:

WHEREAS, the Bladen County 14-and-under Boys Soccer Team had an outstanding Tournament; and,

WHEREAS, the team as a final accomplishment, won the 2005 State Wide Athletic Committee (SWAC) 14-and-under State Soccer Tournament on November 19, 2005; and,

WHEREAS, the team throughout the tournament, performed in a manner which brought credit to itself, and Bladen County Parks and Recreation Department; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Bladen County Board of Commissioners commends the Bladen County 14-and-under Boys Soccer Team for its accomplishment of being the best Boys Soccer Team in the State Wide Athletic Committee in the State of North Carolina; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners thanks the soccer team for the positive manner in which it represented all of Bladen County during its successful tournament.

Present 4-H Friends of Youth Proclamation – 4-H Friends of Youth Representative Stephanie Hollis addressed the Board and advised that she works with youth referred from Juvenile Court. Ms. Hollis indicated that in 2005, twenty-seven youths were matched with the Lunch Buddy Program or with the Life Skills Program. Ms. Hollis introduced two volunteers who participate in the buddy program and called on them to comment about the program.

County Manager Greg Martin introduced Bryon Scott of Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams, & Co., P.A.

Mr. Scott presented the FY05 audit report for Bladen County and commended the Finance Office for its assistance during the audit process. Mr. Scott reviewed sections of the audit report and indicated that an unqualified opinion was rendered on the audit.

A motion was made by W. D. Neill, Jr., seconded by Larry Smith and approved to accept the FY 05 Audit Report.

Elections Board Chairperson Vernello Robinson and Elections Director Larry Hammond addressed the Board regarding the purchase of voting equipment. Ms. Robinson advised that the Board of Elections has investigated and recommends optical scan equipment for usage in the electoral process. She and Mr. Hammond indicated that the use of optical scan equipment is more cost effective and will meet the requirements of state and federal statutes.

Mr. Hammond reviewed information regarding cost of machines and advised that the optical scan equipment will cost the County approximately $24,000 in addition to the grant funding.

Ms. Robinson presented a Resolution to Recommend the Purchase of Voting Equipment to the Board of Commissioners.

BLADEN COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF BLADEN

RESOLUTION TO RECOMMEND THE PURCHASE OF VOTING EQUIPMENT

Board of Elections for use in some or all voting places in the county at some or all elections in accordance with G.S. 163-165.9; and

WHEREAS, the Bladen County Board of Elections has witnessed a demonstration, in the county or at a site designated by the State Board of Elections, of the type of voting system being recommended and also witnessed a demonstration of at least one other type of voting system certified by the State Board of Elections;

WHEREAS, the State Board of Elections and the Office of Information Technology Services has a Statewide Term Contract with certified vendors;

WHEREAS, grants from the HAVA Election Fund may be used by the County Boards of Election for purchasing voting equipment from a certified vendor and the County is entitled to receive up to $238,455 from the HAVA Election Fund based on the formula of $12,000.00 per precinct, $12,000.00 per One-Stop sites, plus $1.00 for each voter that turned out in the 2004 presidential election but not less than $10,000.00 or more than $100,000.00;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Bladen County Board of Elections hereby recommends the following certified voting equipment to the Board of County Commissioners;

Voting Type: Optical Scan w/DRE ADA Vendor: ES&S

Estimated Cost: $262,180

Vernello M. Robinson, Chairman Bladen County Board of Elections

A motion was made by Charles Ray Peterson, seconded by James G. Smith and approved to accept the Board of Elections Resolution to purchase the voting equipment as recommended.

Emergency Services Director Mitchell Byrd addressed the Board regarding a request to purchase two new ambulances. He advised that the ambulances are needed to replace higher mileage vehicles that are currently on line. Mr. Byrd indicated that based on information received from the Finance Department, EMS billing revenue as of December 31, 2005 was over $800,000 with a projected revenue to be above the 1.5 million estimated. He further indicated that the County is also projected to receive the NCACC reimbursement for Medicaid which will be over $100,000. Mr. Byrd concluded his presentation and requested approval to purchase two new ambulances based on the projected revenue.

COUNTY MANAGER:

Consider Closed Session – A motion was made by W. D. Neill, Jr., seconded by Lewis Tatum and approved to enter Closed Session in accordance with N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a) (3) Consultation with Attorney (4) Economic Development (6) Personnel Matters.

A motion was made by W. D. Neill, Jr., seconded by Larry Smith and approved to enter Regular Session.

Economic Development Director Chuck Heustess addressed the Board to request a public hearing to receive comments regarding an incentive grant of .29% for Carolina Cold Storage due to an eight to thirteen million dollar expansion.

A motion was made by Billy Ray Pait, seconded by Lewis Tatum and approved to schedule a public hearing for Monday, January 23, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. to receive comments regarding an Incentive Grant of .29% for Carolina Cold Storage.

A motion was made by Charles Ray Peterson, seconded by Lewis Tatum and approved to accept Settlement Agreement and Release of Claims dated January 9, 2006 between the Bladen County Board of Commissioners and Board of Education, subject to approval by the Board of Education.

A motion was made by James G. Smith, seconded by Larry Smith and approved to provide a deeded easement 30 x 219 x 62 to Elizabethtown Pentecostal Holiness Church. The motion further included that attorney fees would be paid for by the church.

A motion was made by Lewis Tatum, seconded by W. D. Neill, Jr. and approved to adjourn at 8:25 p.m.